plainly state

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly state" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the clarity and straightforwardness of a statement or declaration. Example: "In the report, the author plainly states the findings of the research without any ambiguity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Bill O'Reilly went so far as to plainly state that the football players were not "smart enough to know what they're doing".

The Guardian - Opinion

Gemma says that had LV= written to her to plainly state that an alarm was required for cover, then she would have taken the appropriate action.

The Guardian - Money

They will take on everything — the right wing, Islamophobia, Mr. Straw, Mr. Sarkozy — rather than come out and plainly state that the burqa is an affront to Muslim women.

The New York Times

As the WHO, UNAIDS and the US Department of Health and Human Services all plainly state, there is no medical reason that justifies discrimination against people living with HIV from pursuing educational opportunities or traveling to another country".

The Guardian

Cook also takes the opportunity to plainly state (again) that Apple has never worked 'with governments' to create service backdoors.

TechCrunch

Two quotes from her book plainly state the problems with relevance: (1) "If we only learned what we were sure was relevant, we'd never learn anything".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The threat was plainly stated in documents disclosed by the commission.

The New York Times

Not that any sexual act is ever mentioned; very little in Murasaki Shikibu's prose is plainly stated.

The New Yorker

She plainly states that it is not sharia law she is fighting; she simply wants to receive justice.

The New York Times - Magazine

In his speech tonight, General Musharraf plainly stated that the Kashmir cause could not justify the use of terrorism.

The New York Times

"It was plainly stated that if you want to get anywhere in this place, this is how it is".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plainly state", ensure the context supports a straightforward, unambiguous declaration. Avoid it when nuance or subtlety is required.

Common error

Avoid using "plainly state" excessively in formal academic papers or business reports. Opt for more nuanced alternatives like "clearly articulate" or "explicitly state" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly state" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of expressing something in a clear and direct manner. Ludwig provides examples where it introduces factual statements or declarations. It often emphasizes the lack of ambiguity in the communication.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Plainly state" is a verb phrase used to emphasize clarity and directness in communication. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, scientific and business context. While "plainly state" is a useful phrase to use when clarity is needed, it is important to avoid overuse in formal contexts. Alternatives include "state explicitly" or "clearly articulate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state explicitly

Emphasizes the absence of ambiguity in the statement.

put it plainly

Highlights the simplification of language.

make clear

Highlights the act of clarifying something.

express clearly

Focuses on clarity of expression rather than the act of stating.

say directly

Emphasizes the act of saying something without hesitation or ambiguity.

clearly articulate

Highlights the skill of expressing something distinctly.

declare openly

Suggests a public and unreserved announcement.

indicate directly

Focuses on a straight forward communication of information.

spell out

Suggests a detailed and thorough explanation.

divulge straightforwardly

Focuses on revealing information in an uncomplicated manner.

FAQs

How to use "plainly state" in a sentence?

You can use "plainly state" to emphasize the directness and clarity of a statement. For example: "The report "plainly states" the findings of the investigation."

What can I say instead of "plainly state"?

You can use alternatives like "state explicitly", "clearly articulate", or "express clearly" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "plainly state"?

"Plainly state" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the straightforward and unambiguous nature of a statement. It is suitable when there is a need for clarity and directness in communication.

What is the difference between "plainly state" and "simply state"?

"Plainly state" emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the statement, while "simply state" focuses on the act of stating something without unnecessary complexity or detail. "Plainly state" is stronger in conveying directness.